Hi all,

Well next month I start on my own "little" adventure trip, UK to Australia, the Half-Way-Round-trip (appologies to the LWR, but I recon they only went half-way anyway)

We are currently still in Australia but the bike is on its way by ship (via Panama) to the UK (hope it arrives OK). The car is sold, the house rented and I quit my job of 25 years. My wife has 12 months leave from teaching & she is travelling pillion. We will be away for at least 12 months.

Our route takes us around UK, E & W.Europe for 5 months, then Turkey (maybe Syria & Jordan), Iran, Pakistan (KKH), India & Nepal. Not sure where after that, depends on time and money.

So what bike? - Suzuki V-strom 1000

Is it standard? - No, has the following mods
- Pro Taper bars and barkbusters
- Givi engine guards
- Radguard alloy radiator & oil cooler guards
- Ohlins shock with heavier spring and upgraded springs and damping for the forks (best mod - needed for our weight, the Ohlins is magic)
- Givi top box and panniers
- Packsafe tankbag
- Scottoiler
- Oxford heated grips
- Michelin Anakee tyres
- 16t front sprocket
- Yellowbox speedo calibrator
- Autocom communication
- Magellan Meridian GPS

Am I sponsored? - I wish!! Not a cent, we have been planning & saving for the last 5 years or so.

Why a Vstrom? - Because I like it. I think its an under-rated bike for this type of trip and I want to give it a go. Also no one else has done a trip like this on the Vstrom (that I know of - appologies if not true). In reality this trip can be done on any bike, but a big bike is nice for 2-up with luggage/camping gear for a year. The vstrom power will be much overkill in Pakistan, India and Nepal, but will be very nice in W.Europe. Guess I could have gone for a BMW twin like so many others that have done this trip, but I just didnt like it as much as the Vstrom - personal choice. My previous bike was a F650 Dakar which I liked a lot, so its not like a had anything against BMW, except the service costs. I also owned a KTM 250EXC (now sold too), so I'm OK with KTM, but the 950 was more dirt than I needed and not enough road comfort for 2-up. Also the price of either of those alternatives would have been much higher, which would have meant longer working/saving before travelling. An older BMW was considered, but I didnt have time to find a good one or to learn how to rebuild one (haha, I'm partly joking, partly serious)

We wont be doing any serious off-road with pillion and luggage, but I guess I will find out first-hand whether the Vstrom and accessories is up to a half-way-round trip on all kinds of "roads" - and so I can give you all an update on my Vstrom experiences from time to time.

I have organised a Blog on HU (thanks Grant) but have not started it yet. We are starting to let ourselves get a little excited now, although so many things to do -like pack up the house contents. Hope to catch up with a few HU community members on our travels.

See ya on the road, or somewhere near your place soon.
John & Alanna

Hi Mate!

My girl and I will be doing Europe W&E this summer (June till Oct)...When are you off?

Very good bike, We were to choose between the Strom and the GS, went for the GS (1150GS 2000/W) in the end but I'm sure the Strom would do the job superbly!!!

Hope to meet you on the road for a chat...

Fernando

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www.mfnaeuropa.blogspot.com

Hi fcasado,

We leave Aus on 8 April, fly to Singapore for a couple of days R&R, then on to London for a week or so until the bike arrives. After that its all an open book. We left it that way so we could guage the weather situation in europe this year. If too cold, we head to the continent and go south, and come back later. If UK is not too cold, we will stay for a while before heading over the channel.

Yes, it would be great to meet up. Stay in touch.

Regards
John

[This message has been edited by SKILLO (edited 07 March 2006).]

Hi Skillo
The V-strom sounds like a good bike - I also read it has an excellent motor....

Good roads!

We're in Cambridge and could meet for a chat either here or in London!



[This message has been edited by fcasado (edited 07 March 2006).]

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www.mfnaeuropa.blogspot.com

Skillo - Hope your trip goes well - if your travelling North towards scotland in the uk then I am in Northumberland on the scottish borders (80 mile south of Edinburgh) if you both need a free bed, food and - drop me a line if I am not away travelling when your passing your more than welcome to drop in for a night or two. Brad.

Hey Brad, I am so sorry for no reply, missed your post somehow??? Thankyou very much for your very kind offer and if we are in the area, we will contact you for sure. But maybe an even better idea is the one I posted on the Northern Mini-meet thread - ie; try to make it to the Lion Inn weekend. I see you are one of the organisers or keen participant, so it would be great to meet you and others there for drinks/eats/laughs, err sorry I mean serious HU travel discussions.....

Regards
John

I'm in S.Wales(1hr from ferries for Ireland) if your in the area and need anything, whatever bed/tools garage give me a try if its possible I'll help.
Paul

Paul,

Once again thanks for your kind offer. Sorry I have not been checking the HUBB as often as usual, lots of packing and other things to organise - now only 12 days until we go.

John

Hi all,

We have started our blog on HU for anyone interested here is the link

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/skillington/

See ya on the road
John & Lan

Hey Skillo!

You have choosen a great bike to do such a journey. I have a V-strom 650 and plan to do a solo trip from Colorado, USA to Tierra Del Fuego this summer. Simply can't wait! Keep us posted on your blug. Would love to hear of your experiences and what you think of the bike.

Fair winds and following seas my fellow Stromer!

John and Alanna,

The best thing you will ever do, wish it was me again.

alec

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Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality